Renew Your Smile with Permanent Denture Implants In Brisbane

There are generally two types of dental implants to consider: Endosteal implants and Subperiosteal implants.

Endosteal Implants: These implants are placed directly into the jawbone. Typically made from titanium, a biocompatible material that integrates well with bone, endosteal implants involve screws being implanted into the jaw. After the implants bond with the bone—a process known as osseointegration—a minor surgery might be conducted to install an abutment, which serves as the attachment point for the replacement teeth or dentures.

Subperiosteal Implants: If a patient lacks sufficient jawbone to support endosteal implants, subperiosteal implants may be used. These rest on top of the jawbone but under the gums. This type of dental implant is less common and is generally considered when endosteal implants are not viable.

Implant-Supported Dentures:

Implant-supported dentures are a type of overdenture attached to and supported by implants. A dental prosthetist can design these dentures after implants have been placed and healed. An Implant supported denture provides greater stability than regular dentures because they are anchored to the implants, offering improved comfort and functionality. They are particularly useful for lower jaw dentures, which tend to require more stability.

In this process, the dental prosthetist plays a crucial role in the design and fabrication of the implant-supported dentures, working closely with the dentist or oral surgeon who handles the surgical aspects of the implant placement. This collaborative approach ensures that the final dental prostheses meet both functional and aesthetic needs of the patient.

No, dental prosthetists do not perform tooth extractions. Tooth extractions and other procedures required for preparing dental implants are typically performed by dentists or oral surgeons. Here's how the process generally unfolds:

Initial Consultation: Patients interested in dental implants start with a consultation with a dentist or oral surgeon, who evaluates their need for implants and any necessary extractions. This step is crucial for assessing overall oral health and planning the best approach for tooth replacement.

Extraction: If teeth need to be removed, this is done by a dentist or oral surgeon to prepare the mouth for implant placement. This procedure ensures that the site is ready for a dental implant, replacing the natural tooth structure.

Healing Period: There is a healing period following extractions, allowing time for the gums and bone to heal properly before proceeding with dental implant surgery. This period is essential to ensure that the implant will have a solid foundation.

Implant Placement: Dental implants are placed by a dentist or oral surgeon once the extraction sites have healed. This phase of dental implant surgery involves inserting a titanium implant into the jawbone, replacing the root part of the natural tooth.

Denture Fabrication: After the implants have been securely integrated into the jawbone, the dental prosthetist designs and fabricates the final dentures that will attach to these implants. This step is critical in restoring the function and aesthetics previously provided by the patient’s natural teeth.

Fitting and Adjustment: The final step involves the dental prosthetist fitting the dentures to ensure they are comfortable and functional, making adjustments as necessary. This adjustment process is vital for ensuring that the dentures work harmoniously with the patient's oral health and provide a seamless tooth replacement solution.

First, you will undergo a consultation where a dental practitioner will inspect your mouth and teeth to better understand what is needed.

During this stage, they may be required to take some photographs and x-rays to assist with the process.

After that, your practitioner will present you with a treatment plan and a cost estimate. These are unique for every client and differ depending on your personal needs, the level of damage, and the result you wish to obtain.

If you still have your damaged or diseased tooth, there is a high chance it will need to be extracted first.

However, if you lost your teeth some time ago, you may have since experienced bone loss and require a bone graft procedure.

Depending on the extent of bone loss and grafting required, you may either be able to have the grafting occur in the same procedure as the implant.

If the bone loss is too severe, you will need to wait 3 - 6 months post-grafting before your dental implants can be inserted.

As for the actual implantation, this is a relatively quick procedure. You will be placed under anaesthetic whilst small holes are drilled through your gums and jaw. The implants will then be placed inside. This part of the process is relatively simple and only takes about 60 to 90 minutes.

You will then be required to wait for 3 - 6 months whilst your jaw bone grows around the implant in a process called osseointegration.

Once this has occurred and your jaw strength has returned, your dentist will fit the abutment. This is what connects the implant and the crown. It requires another healing period, during which you will wear a temporary crown.

After this final healing period, you will return to your practitioner for your permanent crown. This will be matched perfectly to your other teeth and will enable you to bite, chew and clean it the same as you would a real tooth.

When it comes to the installation of your dental implants, you don’t need to worry about the surgery hurting.

The procedure is performed with anaesthesia to ensure you are comfortable and pain-free. Depending on your needs, this could involve general anaesthetic or even local (going under).

As for post-op, things are likely to be a bit sore for 3-5 days but should resolve shortly after that.

Your oral surgeon will provide care instructions that may include prescription or OTC pain medication, avoidance of certain foods, and ice packs to help with swelling, amongst other things.

When the procedure is performed correctly, dental implants should last your entire lifetime. The screws are made of biocompatible Titanium to prevent irritation, and once it has fused with your jawbone, you can confidently expect this to stand the test of time.

However, dental crowns are typically made of resin and porcelain and will break down over time. Replacement of these is straightforward and does not involve any additional surgery. Depending on your usage and care, a typical dental crown can be expected to last between 5 to 15 years.